Brick package forming machine construction



July 22, 1958 c. M. sHAFER ET AL 2,844,091

BRICK PACKAGE FoRMINC MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1o. 1953 5sheets-sheet 1 July 22, 1958 c. M. sHAFER E1- AL I 2,844,091

BRICK PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. l0, 1953 5Sheets-Sheet 2 lll . @WAC ATT RZWYAS July 22, 1958 C. M. SHAFER ET AL2,844,091

BRICK PACKAGE FORMINC MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 1C, 1953 5Sheets-Sheet 5 IOO ganan? ATTORNEYS July 22,1958 'Q M. @AFER mu2,844,091

BRICK PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. l0, 1953 5Sheecs-Sheecl 4 ATTPN'EYS July z2, 195sv c. M. SHAFER ET AL 2,844,091

BRICK PACKAGE FORMING MACHINE CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. lO, 1953 5Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 58 CwrLonMShafez;

ganada? 6 ATToRNEYs United States Patent O BRICK PACKAGE FORll/IINGMACHINE CONSTRUCTION 13 Claims. (Cl. 10U- 25) Our invention relates toimprovements in the devices used in forming brick packages and morespecically to a blick package forming machine upon which brick packagescan be easily and conveniently formed. And even more specically, itrelates to a brick package forming machine on which the packages areformed in a tilted position, horizontally strapped in the tiltedposition, then rotated to normal position for final vertical strappingand removal from the machine.

Until very recent times, the brick industry has done vall brick handlingby hand means. The bricks have been unloaded from the kilns onto movablepallets or wheelbarrows and thereby transported to either railroad carsor trucks, It was then necessay to load the bricks by hand onto thenailroad car or truck so that they may bek shipped to their destination.Once arriving at their destination, it was again necessary to unloadthem by hand and in the case of railroad cars reload them on trucks tobe shipped to the supplier or to the construction job.

In recent years, the brick industry has become interested in shippingthe bricks in small package pallet form. By this method, the bricks havebeen loaded, as previously, from the kiln onto movable pallets orwheelbarrows and moved to the shipping area in the brickyard. There theyhave been built into packages of appoximately 200 to 250 bricks, boundby steel straps or some other means, and thereafter moved by fork lifttrucks or other means to railroad cars or trucks for transportation.

Many problems have confronted the brick industry in the development anduse of brick packages. One of the most obvious problems, of course, isthat the bricks must first be removed from the kiln and later rehandledto form them into the brick packages. Another problem is that when thepackages are formed, in order to produce a tight package which willwithstand the rough shipping which such articles receive, particles ofbaked clay called crumbs, which break from the edges and the holes inthe brick, must be removed. n

Another problem is that bricks, having-no resiliency, are very dicult toform into a tight package. Still another and very basic problem is thatthe packaging operation is normally very slow and expensive and requiresseveral men to build each package.

Still another problem is that when the package has once been formed, itis very dicult to thread the metal strapping in place and, once inplace, to bind it,

To this time, most of the brick packages have been built on special flatpallets of various designs from which the package, after forming' andbinding, can be lifted. These are some times provided with variousguides and the like to aid in placing the brick into the package form aswell as threading the `strapping underneath the package.

It still remains a problem, however, of arranging each row of bricks inproper place and alignment, cleaning away the crumbs, and in getting -atight package properly strapped.

ICC

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide abrick passage forming machlne which eliminates the disadvantages of theprior constructions.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a brickpackage forming machine upon which the packaging operation can be doneconveniently, quickly and economically by one man. Y

It is a further object of the present mventron to provide a brickpackage forming machine which can be loaded in the kiln and thereafterremoved for the final strapping operation of the package so that it isonly necessary to handle the bricks by hand once after they are burned.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a brickpackage forming machine upon which the brick package is formed and theparticles of baked clay or crumbs are automatically removed.

Another object of the present invention isto provide a brick packageforming machine upon which Athe bricks nest by gravity, thus forming atight and compact pack- -age which will withtstand considerable abuse intrans,- portation. l

Still another object of the present invention4 is to provide a brickpackage forming machine which automatically guides the steel strapping,lfor binding the package, into its proper place, and upon `which thestrapping can be conveniently bound to the proper tenslon.l

Finally it is an object of the present invention to provide a brickpackage forming machine on which each layer of bricks is guided into itsproper place so that no problem of aligning' is encountered by theworkmen.

These and other objects are accomplished by the parts, constructions,arrangements, combinations and subcombinations comprising 'the presentinvention, the nature of which is set forth in the followinggeneralstatement, a preferred embodiment of which-illustrative of thebest mode in which applicants have contemplated applying theprinciples--is set forth in the following description and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings' and which is particularly and distinctlypointed out and set forth in the `appended claims forming a part hereof.

In general terms, the improved brick package forming machineconstruction constituting the present invention may be stated asincluding a base carriage member and a cradle member hingedly attachedto the base carriage member and so adapted that it may be selectively'p01 sitioned in a tilting position.

More specifically, the improved brick package forming machineconstruction includes a horizontal base ,carriage member with movablemeans therebeneath consisting preferably of three Wheels mounted beneaththebase carriage member, two at the rear portion and a single swivelwheel mounted at the front portion, a handle projecting from the frontof the base carriage member,y a cradle member hingedly connected to thebase carriage member so that it may be selectively positioned in atilted position, adjustable stop means on the, base carriage member tolimit and support the cradle in tilting position, a safety means in thebase carriage to positively hold the cradle in tilted position, guidemeans on the cradle to assist in positioning bricks for forming thebrick package, a safety or `aligning gate on the cradle member hingedlyconnected to the cradle member, latch means on the cradle member tolatch the safety gate in closed position, means on the cradle member andon the safety gate through which steel straps may be threaded toencircle and bind the package both vertically and horizontally, means`on the cradle connected to means on the base carriage to safely andslowly return the loaded cradle from tilting position to normalposition, and cushion means on the base carriage member to automaticallymove the cradle member out of engagement with ythe 3 brick package whenthe brick package is being removed from the machine by the forks of `afork lift truck or by other means.

By Way of example, an embodiment of the improved tilting construction ofthe presentinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forminga part hereof wherein like numerals indicate similar parts throughoutthe several views and in which:

Fig. l is a front and side perspective view of the entire machine empty;

Fig. 2, a back and side perspective view of the entire machine empty;

Fig. 3 a side elevation of the entire machine in normal unloadedposition;

Fig.V 4, a plan view of the oase of the cradle with the cradleand safetygate separate from the base carriage of the machine;

Fig. 5, a plan View of the back of the cradle with the cradle and safetygate separate from the base carriage of the machine;

Fig. 6, a front, fragmentary, sectional view of the base portion of thecradle looking in the direction of the arrows 6 6, Fig. 4;

Fig. 7, a side, fragmentary, sectional view of the base portion of thecradle looking in the direction of arrows 7 7, Fig. 4;

Fig. 8, a top, fragmentary, sectional view of the back of the cradlelooking in the direction of the arrows 8 8, Fig. 5;

Fig. 9, a top, fragmentary, sectional View of the back of the cradlelooking in the direction of the arrows 9 9, Fig. 5;

Fig. l0, a front, fragmentary view of the cradle showing the safety gatelatching mechanism.

Fig. 1l, a side, fragmentary, sectional view looking in the direction ofthe arrows 11-11, Fig. 10;

Fig. 1'2, a side elevation of the entire machine in loading position;

Fig. 13, a perspective view of a finished brick package showing therunner layers and the package layers above;

Fig. 14, a plan view of the first, third and fifth layers of brick asarranged in the brick package.

Fig. 15, a plan view of the second layer of brick as arranged in thebrick package;

Fig. 16, a plan view of the fourth layer of brick as arranged in thebrick package;

Fig. 17, a side, fragmentary, sectional View of the machine loaded witha brick package ready for the rst strapping operatiom the section beingtaken through one of the outer runners of the lpackage looking towardsthe center of the package.

Fig. 18, a side, fragmentary, sectional view of the ma-v chine loadedwith a brick package ready for the rst strapping operation, the sectionbeing taken through the center runner of the package;

Fig. 19, a front, fragmentary, sectional view taken in the location ofline 19-19, Fig. 18, and looking in the direction of arrows 19 19, butshowing the left-hand side of the machine and package and the safetygate;

Fig. 20, a side view of a completed package being lifted olf the machineby the forks of a fork lift truck; the package, cradle and part of thebase carriage in section taken between one of the outside runners andthe center runner looking toward the center runner, and the rest of thebase carriage in elevation.

It should be understood from the onset that the particular brick packagedescribed herein, and for which this particular brick package formingmachine is designed, is not claimed as a part of this invention. ltshould be further understood that v this particular brick packageformingV machinel is designed for this particular brick package merelybecause the applicants are now using this package, and that the guideson the machine may very easily VbeV adapted to'use the machine forbuilding many other design brick packages, and for other sizes of brickor other products.

The improved brick package forming machine construction shown in Figures1, 2 and 3 includes a base carriage member generally indicated at 1, anda cradle member generally indicated at 2 Vhingedly connected to the basecarriage member. The entire machine is made from a rigid material,preferably steel or some such metal.

The frame of the base carriage member is made up of at strip steel withthe sides and front being one continuous strip. The side members 3 ofthe base carriage extend from the rear of the machine the length of themachine into arcuate front corners and thence across the front to formfront member 4. Side members 3 are joined at the rear of the machine byback member 4a which is parallel to front member 4. Cross member 5 isalso flat strip steel and is atixed perpendicular to and between sidemembers 3 and parallel to front member 4. Angle cross member 6 is alsoai-lixed between side members 3, parallel to front member 4, and is ameasured distance to the rear of cross member 5.

Rear wheels 7 are mounted on a rear axle 8 which is xedly mounted to theunderside of the base carriage by means of triangular shaped downwardlyextending wheel mounting lugs 9. The front swivel wheel 10 is mounted tothe underside of plate 11, by means of downwardly extending front wheellugs 12 and plate 13. The horizontal plate 11 is affixed between thefront member 4 of the base carriage and the strip steel cross member 5of the base carriage. Rear wheels 7 and front wheel 10 are of anystandard type, preferably having a solid rubber tread.

The front wheel mounting lugs are mounted to a separate horizontal platemember 1,3 and it is through this plate member 13 that the front wheelmounting lugs 12 are mounted to plate 11 by means of the screw 14. It isby this mounting means that the front wheel is permitted to swivel.

On the front vertical edge portions of front wheel mounting lugs 12 areaixed the flat, horizontally extending handle lugs 15. The handle,generally indicated at 16, is preferably made from steel tubing andconsists of front handle portion 17, handle extension portion 18, andhandle connecting portion 19. Handle connecting portion 19 is pivotallymounted to the handle lugs 15 by connecting pinv 20.

In the rear portion of base carriage member 1 are mounted two downwardlyextending oil or air cylinder mounting `lugs generally indicated at 21.The oil or air cylinder mounting lugs are mounted parallel to sidemembers 3 and-are parallel to each other. A They are made up of avertical side portion 22 which extends downwardly a lmeasured distanceinto an arcuate bottom edge portion 23 andthen extends forwardly in aninward arcuate edge portion 23. They are fastened at their rear portionson the back member 4a of the base carriage i and are fastened at theirfront portions on the angle cross member 6 of the base carriage 1.

ln the lowermost portion of the mounting lugs a measured distance abovethe arcuate bottom portion 23 are mounting holes 25. An oil or -aircylinder, preferably oil, isgenerally indicated at 26 and is mounted-below the frame of the base carriage 1 and attached at its rear portionthrough rear mounting ring 27 to the downwardly extending air cylindermounting lugs 21 by means of connecting pin 28 through holes Z5.

The oil cylinder 26 Ais made up of a casing portion Z9 and connectingrod and plunger 30. At the rear end of the oil cylinder 26 is cap31which has mounted on its back face the rear mounting ring 27 and onits side face is connected one end of bypass tube portion 32. The otherend of by-pass tube portion 32 is connected to bypass valve 33, and tothe other side of by-pass` valve 33 is connected one end of 'by-passtube portion 34. The' other end of yby-pass tube portion 34 connectsthrough the side of cylinder casing 29 near the forward end.

Oil cylinder 26 is of standard type and is so designed that, when theconnecting rod and plunger 30 are extended, the oil in the front portionof the cylinder flows freely through by-pass tube portion 32, by-passvalve 33 and by-pass tube portion 34 into the rear portion of thecylinder and below the connecting rod and plunger 30. Thus theconnecting rod and plunger 30 can be pulled into extended position withVery little resistance resulting from the oil in the cylinder. However,when the connecting rod and plunger 30 are forced inwardly, the by-passvalve 33 closes, stopping any oil passage through by-pass tube portion32 or by-pass tube portion 34, and the oil must flow through a measuredsize orifice in the plunger of the air cylinder. Thus, the connectingrod and plunger 30 can only be pushed into their inward position at apredetermined speed determined by the size of the orifice in theplunger.

On the outer end of connecting rod and plunger 30 is aixed connectingportion 35 which is provided with a measured size slot 36. Through slot36 is engaged connecting pin 37 which in turn engages the holes 38 (Fig.5) in the two cradle connecting lugs 39. The upper ends of cradleconnecting lugs 39 are affixed to the bottom portion of the cradlemember 2.

On the forward portion of the base carriage member 1 are mounted twocushion members generally indicated at 40, one of which is attached toeach of the side members 3.

The cushion members each consist of a spring containing member 41 and ahelical spring member 42. The spring retaining member 41 is merely apiece of tube partially closed at its lower end and welded at its oneside to side member 3, with its open end extending upwardly and itssides being at a slightly tilted angle. Into the open end of springretaining member 41 is inserted the bottom end of helical spring 42which eX- tends into the spring retaining member 41 and above the springretaining member a measured distance.

In the rear portion of the base carriagey member 1 are atlxed two cradlepositioning screws, generally indicated at 43. These cradle positioningscrews consist of a mounting portion 44, a nut portion 45 and a screwportion 46. They are `aiiixed to the sides of rear wheel mounting lugs 9in such a way that the cradle positioning screw assembly is in upwardlyextending tilted position.

The mounting portion 44 has a threaded hole through its center runningits entire length. Screw portion 46 is selectively engaged in thethreaded hole in the mounting portion 44, and the nut portion 45 isselectively screwed down on the top end of the mounting portion 44. Thusscrew portion 46 can be screwed into the mounting portion 44 so that thedesired length of screwed portion 46 extends, and then by tightening nutportion 45 down on to the top of the mounting portion 44, the

6 ber 3. At the upper end of the arcuate, upwardly extending portion 50is formed a notched cutout 55 which may selectively engage Iavsmallsquare piece of steel plate a, welded to the side of the cradle member2,v

when the cradle member is in a tilted position.

On the outside of the side members 3 of the base carriage, and in directalignment with the angle cross member 6, are afiixed side cradlemounting lugs 56, one ybeing mounted on the outside of each of the sidemem- 'bers 3 and extending upwardly. On the top side of angle crossmember 6 are mounted two upwardly extending center cradle mounting lugs57 a measured distance from the side members 3 and a measured distanceapart. Through each of the side cradle mounting lugs and center cradlemounting lugs is formed a measured sized hole through which is extendedthe cradle mounting screw 58. The cradle mounting screw 58 yalso engagesin holes through the cradle member 2.

The cradle member 2 consists of a base portion generally indicated at 59and a back portion generally indicated at 60. The cradle base portion 59is made up of three downturned channel members 61, 62 and 63 (Fig. 6).To the top side of channelmember 63, and extending parallel to itslength, is an angle member 64 running the complete length of channelmember 63. The angle member 64 is mounted so that one of its legs is ina parallel plane to and abuts the top face of the channel member 63 andthe other leg of the angle extends vertically upward.

Closely abutting angle 64, and parallel to it, is mounted smalldownturned channel mem-ber 65. The lower edges of small channel member65 rest on and are aflixed to the topface of channel `member 63 andsmall channel member 65 extends the length of channel member 63 towithin a measured distance of its rearmost end. A measured distance fromsmall channel member 65, and in the same position and parallel to smallchannel member 65, is mounted small downturned channel member 66, whichalso is aiixed to the top side of channel member 63 and extends itslength to within a measured distance of its rearmost end. Thus, ybetweenthe side edges of small channel member 65 and small channel member 66 isformed slot 67 which is closed at the bottom side by channel member 63and open at its top side.

In a plane parallel to the top face of middle channel member 62, aflixedto the top face but overhanging the left side of the middle channelmember 62, is angle member 68. On the overhanging end of the abuttingleg of angle 68 is the other leg extending vertically upward. Angle 68runs parallel and the complete length l of middle channel member 62.

screw portion 46 is lheld'rigidly in place at any desiredv extendedlength.

On theV right side of the base carriage member 1, and abutting sidemember 3,is mounted a safety foot lever generally indicated at 47. Thesafety foot lever 47 consists of a horizontal forwardly extendingportion 4S, foot pad 49 and arcuate, upwardly extending portion 50. Thefoot pad 49 is mounted at the forwardmost end of horizontal portion 48and is also mounted so that its .largest face is in a horizontalposition. On the horizontal forwardly extending portion 48, a measureddistance from its forward end, is formedhole 51. A helical spring 51a isattached to the side member 3 at its top end and into hole 51 at itsbottom end.

In the arcuate, upwardly extending portion 50 is formed hole 52 throughwhich is placed connecting screw 53, which in turn connects through adownwardly leX- tending lug 54 axed to the underside of the side mem-Closely abutting angle member 68, and also running parallel to and thelengthof middle channel member 62, extending to within a measureddistance of the rear end of the middle channel member 62 is downturnedsmall channel member 69, the lower ledges of which are channel member 70is formed a slot 71, which is vclosed at its bottom side by the top faceof middle channel member 62 and is open at its top side.

To each of the vertically downwardly extending legs of middle channelmember 62, in its rear portion and extending a measured distance fromits rearmost end, are aixed the two cradle connecting lugs 39. In faceView (Fig. 6) they are afl'ixedv to the lower edges of middle channelmember- 62 and extend vertically downward a measured distance, at whichpoint they angle inwardly as well as downwardly towards each other ameasured distance, and then extend vertically downward again, a measureddistance, apart. In side view the two cradle connecting lugs 39-extenddownwardly and backwardly in an arcuate pattern to their lower end. Itis between the bottom ends of cradle connecting lugs 39 that holes 38are formed and through which connecting pin 37 engages the connectingportion 35 ofthe air cylinder 26.

To the top side of right channel member 61 and running parallel theretois affixed lsmall downturned channel member 72. Small channel member 72is in a plane parallel to the top face of channel member 61 and runs thelength to within a measured distance of the rearmost end of channelmember 61. The left edge of small channel member 72 is in directvertical alignment with the left edgeof right channel member 61.

Running parallel to small channel member 72, but a measured distancefrom it, is small channel member 73, which also abuts the top face ofchannel member 61 and extends its length to within a measured distanceof its rearmost end. Thus, between the side edges of small channelmember 72 and small channel member 73, is formed another slot 74 whichis closed at its bottom side by the top face of channel member 61 and isopen at its top side.

Abutting the right edge of small channel member 73 with one legextending vertically upward directly abutting the right edge thereof andthe other leg in a plane parallel to the top face of channel member61and abutting the top face thereof is angle member 75, which runsparallel to and the complete length of channel member 61.

On the right vertical edge of channel member 61 is aixed a safety handlemember generally indicated at 76, made preferably from solid steel rod,one end being axed a measured distance from the front end of channelmember 61 and the other end being affixed a measured distance from therear end of channel member 61. Safety handle member 76 is made up of ahorizontally extending member 77 which extends to the right a measureddistance into an arcuate corner and thereafter into a horizontal,rearwardly extending portion 78 which extends longitudinally of channelmember 61. The rearwardly extending member 78 runs to within a measureddistance of the rear end of channel member 61 into an arcuate corner andthereafter extends into inwardly extending portion 79, the end of whichabuts the right side of channel member 61. A

At the front end of channel member 63 and channel member 62 is aflixedthe horizontal, forwardly extending safety handle member generallyindicated at 8l). The left side of safety handle member 8@ is aiiixed tothe inside face of the right hand downwardly extending portion ofchannel member 63, being axed thereto a measured distance vfrom thebottom edge of channel member 63. 81 of safety handle member 80 extendsforward from the front end of channel member 63 a measured distance, andthence through an arcuate corner into horizontal rightwardly extendingportion 82. Portion 82 extends rightwardly to an arcuate corner which isin alignment with the inside edge of the left-hand downwardly extendingportion of channel member 62. Extending rearwardly from the arcuatecorner and into and abutting the inside edge of the left-hand,downwardly extending portion of channel member 62 is portion 83 of thesafety handle 80, where it is there affixed.

Identical to safety handle member 80, but extending between theright-hand side of channel member 62 and the left-hand side of channelmember 61, is safety handle member 84. Safety handle member 84 isaffixed to the channel members 61 and 62 in the same manner as safetyhandle member 80 is axed to channel members 62 and 63 and extendsforward in the same manner and is the same size and shape.

Between the neighboring edge faces of channel mem- The horizontalforwardly extending portion bers 62 and 63 is axed a fork deflectingplate 85. Fork deecting plate 85 starts atthet front edges and in thelowermost corner of channel members 62 and 63 and is angled backwardlyand upwardly a measured distance and ends at the top edges of channelmembers 62 and 63. Thus the left edge of fork deecting plate 85 abutsthe right-hand edge face of channel member 63 and the right side edge offork deilectng plate 85 abuts the lefthand edge face of channel member62. Fork deecting plate 85a is identical to and in the same position asfork deiiecting pate 85 but is between the neighboring edge faces ofchannel members 61 and 62, that is, the righthand edge face of channelmember 62 and the left-hand edge face of channel member 61.

Mounted on the underside of the horizontal portion of channel member 62,of the cradle base portion 59, is horizontal, rearwardly extending tubemember 147. Horizontal tube member 147 is in alignment with the frontend of channel member .62 and extends rearwardly along the underside ofchannel member 62 a measured distance. In the rear portion of channelmember 62 a measured distance from its rear end and affixed so as tospan between the inside edges of the downwardly extending leg portionsof channel member 62 is a plate 148.

Selectively received through tube 147 is a telescoping lifting bar 149.Telescoping lifting bar 149 may be selectively placed in telescopedposition so that its rearmost end abuts the plate 148 in the rear of thechannel member 62 or may be extended a measured distance forwardlybeyond the front edge of channel member 62. Lifting bar 149 has a pin149a through and a measured distance from its rearmost end. Once thelifting bar 149 is assembled through tube 147 and the pin 149a is put inplace, the lifting bar 149 may never be extended so that its rearmostend is beyond the rearmost end of tube 147.

The back portion 60 of the cradle member 2 is made up of vertical anglemembers 86, 87, 88, 89, and 91 (Figs. 8 and 9). Between the right-handedge of vertical angle member 86 and the left-hand edge of verticalangle member 87 is formed slot 92. Between the right-hand edge ofvertical angle member 88 and the left-hand edge of vertical angle member89 is formed slot 93. And between the right-hand edge of vertical anglemember 90 and the left-hand edge of vertical angle member 91 is formedslot 94.

One leg of the vertical angle member 86 extends rearwardly a measureddistance and make up the left-hand edge portion of the back portion 60of the cradle member 2. The other leg of the vertical angle member 86extends transversely to the right a measured distance up to and formsthe left-hand edge of slot 92. Making up the right-hand edge of slot 92and extending transversely to the right a measured distance is one legof vertical angle member 87, the otherleg of which extends rearwardly ameasured distance.

The transverse leg portions of vertical angle members 86 and 87 areperpendicularly affixed at their lower ends to the top face of channelmember 63 of the cradle base portion 59. The rearwardly extending legportions of vertical angle members 86 and 87 are afxed the top surfaceof channel member 63.

A measured distance to the right of vertical angle member 87, and inalignment therewith, is the rearwardly extending leg portion of verticalangle member 88 extending rearwardly a measured distance. The other legportion of vertical angle member 88 extends transversely to the right toand forming the left-hand edge of slot 93. At and forming the right-handedge of slot 93 is the transverse leg portion of vertical angle member89, which extends transversely to the right a measured distance andthere the other leg portion of vertical angle member 89 extends ameasured distance rearwardly.

The transverse legs of Vertical angle members 88 and 89 are affixedperpendicularly to the top face of the channel member 62 of the cradlebase portion 59. Thev rearwardly extending leg portions of verticalangle members 88 and 89 are aixed to the top surface of channel portionof vertical angle member 90 extends transversely' to the right ameasured distance up to and forming the left-hand edge of slot 94.Starting at and forming the right-hand edge of slot 94, and extendingtransversely to the right a measured distance, is the transverse legportion of vertical angle member 91. The other leg portion of verticalangle member 91 extends rearwardly a measured distance and makes up theright-hand edge portion of the back portion 6070i the cradle member 2.

The transverse leg portions of vertical angle members 90 and 91 areperpendicularly aflixed at their lowermost ends to the top face ofchannel member 61 of the cradle base portion 59. The rearwardlyextending leg portions of vertical angle members 90 and 91 are aixed tothe top surface of channel member 61.

' On the front faces of the transverse leg portions of vertical anglemembers 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 and 91 are aixed horizontal transverse atstrip members generally indicated at 95, 96, and 103 and horizontaltransverse channel members generally indicated at 97 and 98.

Horizontal flat strip member 95 is a measured distance from and in aplane parallel to the plane of the top faces of channel members 61, 62and 63 and is affixed perpendicularly to the front faces of thetransverse leg portions f vertical angle members 86, 87, 89, 90 and 91.

Horizontal transverse at strip member 95 extends from the left-hand edgeof the cradle back portion 60 transversely to the right to the left-handedge of slot 92, from the right-hand edge of slot 92 transversely to theright to the left-hand edge of slot 93, from the right-hand edge 0f slot93 transversely to the right to the left-hand edge of slot 94, and fromthe right-hand edge of slot 94 to the right-hand edge of the cradle backportion 60. The horizontal transverse at strip member 95 is the sameheight and width throughout.

The horizontal, transverse channel member 97 is made up of channelportions 99, 100, 101 and 102 and is afiixed parallel to and a measureddistance above horizontal flat strip member 95. Channel portion 99 isaffixed `so that its leg portions extend perpendicular to the transverseleg portion of vertical angle member 86. In top View (Fig. 8) the legportions of channel portion 99 extend forwardly a measured distancefrom'the vertical angle member 86 and are that height for a measureddistance from the left-hand edge of cradle back portion 60 to within ameasured distance of slot 92, and then extend a measured distancefurther from vertical angle member 86 and at that height to the right tothe left-hand edge of slot 92.

Channel portion 100 extends from the right-hand edge of slot 92 to theleft-hand edge of slot 93. The leg portions are the same heightthroughout their length. The bottom leg portion of channel portion 100extends perpendicular to the transverse face portions of vertical anglemembers 87 and 88 a measured distance. The top leg portion of channelportion 100 extends at an upward angle a measured degree oi' of a lineperpendicular to the transverse leg portions of vertical angle members87 and 88 and extends at said upward angle for a measured distance.

Channel portion 101extends from the right-hand edge of slot 93 to theleft-hand edge of slot 94.v It is atlixed to the transverse leg portionsof Vertical angle members 89 and 90 so that the lower leg portion ofchannel portion 101 extends perpendicular to the transverse leg portionsof vertical angle members 89 and 90.

The upper leg portion of channel portion 101 is angled upwardly ameasured degree from a line perpendicular to the transverse leg portionsof vertical angle members 89 and 90, and extends at said upward anglefor a measured distance.

In top view the leg portions of channel portion 101 extend forwardly ameasured distance and are at that height from the right-hand edge ofslot 93 to within a measured distance of the left-hand edge of slot 94and then extend forwardly a lesser measured distance and are at thatheight to the left-hand edge of slot 94.

Channel portion 102 is aflixed to the transverse leg portion of verticalangle member 91 so that its leg portions extend perpendicular to thefront face of the transverse leg portion of vertical angle member 91. Intop view, the leg portions of channel portion 102 extend forwardlyameasured distance and are at that height from the rightfhand edge ofslot 94 to within a measured distance of the right-hand edge of cradleback portion 60, and then extend forwardly a lesser measured distanceand are at that height to the right-hand edge of cradle back portion 60.

The horizontal fiat strip member 96 is atiixed parallel to and ameasured distance above horizontal transverse channel member 97. It isaixed perpendicularly to the front faces of the transverse leg portionsof vertical angle members 86, 87, 88, 89, and 91.

Horizontal transverse flat member 96 extends from the le'ftahand edge ofthe cradle back portion 60 ltransversely to (the right to the left-handedge of slot 92, from the lright-l'rand edge of -slot 92 transversely tothe righ-t to the left-hand edge of slot 93, from the right-hand edge ofslot 93 transversely to the right to the left-hand edge of slot 94 andKfrom the right-hand edge of slot 94 transversely to the right to rtheright-hand edge of the cradle back portion 60;

The horizontal transverse llat strip member 96 is the same height andwidth throughout. The horizontal, transverse channel member `98 isaffixed parallel lto and a measured distance above horizontal ilat stripmember '96 and Iis made up of channel portions 104, 105, 106 and 107. v

lChannel portion'104 of horizontal transverse channel member 98 isaffixed so that 'its leg portions extend perpendicular to theItransverse leg portion of vertical angle member 86. yIn top view (Fig.9) the leg portions of channel portion `104 extend `forwardly a measured`distance from the vertical angle member 86, and are lat that height fora measured distance from the left-hand edge of cradle 'back portion 60to within a measured distance of slot 92, `and then extend a measureddistance `further Afrom vertical angle member I86 fand at th'a't heightto the right to the left-hand edge of slot 92.

' yChannel portion 105 extends from the right-hand edge of slot 92 tothe left-hand edge o'f slot l93. It is affixed to the transverse legportions of vertical angle Amembers 87 and 88 so that 'the lower llegportion of channel portion10`5 extends perpendicular to the transverseleg portions of vertical 'angle members 87 and 88. The upper leg portionofrchannel portion 105 is angled rupwardly a measured degree from a'line perpendicular to the transverse leg portions of vertical anglemembers 87 and 88, and extends at said upward angle lfor a measureddistance. 'In top view the 'leg portions of channel portion 105 extendforwardly a measured distance and are at that height lfrom theright-hand edge of slot 92 to 'within a measured distance of the'left-hand edge of slot 93 and then extend forwardly a greater measured`distance and are that height to the left-hand edge of slot 93.

yChannel portion 106 extends from the right-'hand edge of `sloft 93 tothe 'left-hand edge of lslot 94. The leg portions Iare the same height`throughout ltheir Ilength. The `bottom leg portion of channel portion106 extends perpendicular to the transverse face portions of vertical`angle members 89 and "90 a measured distance. The top leg portion ofchannel portion y106 extends at an upward 11 angle a measured Ldegree oiof a line perpendicular to the transverse leg portions `of verticalangle members 89 and 90 and extends at said upward rangle *for ameasured distance.

Channel portion 107 is athxed to the transverse leg portion oft verticalangle member 91 so that its leg portions extend perpendicular Ito thefront `face of the transverse 'leg portion 4of vertical `angle member91. In `top view the leg portions of `channel portion 107 extendforwardly a measured distance and are at that height from the right-handedge `of slot 94 to within a measured distance yof the right-hand edgeof cradle back portion 60, and then extend forwardly a lesser lmeasureddistance and 'are at `that height to the right-hand edge of `cradle backportion 60.

Horizontal, at strip member 103 `is aixed parallel to and a measureddistance above horizontal transverse channel member 9S. It is aixedperpendicularly to the front `faces of the `transverse leg portions ofvertical angle members S6, 87, 88, 89, 90 and 91.

Horizontal `transverse flat strip member 103 extends from 'the left-handedge of the cradle back portion 60 transversely to the right to theleft-hand edge of slot 92, from the right-hand edge of slot 92transversely lto the right to the left-'hand edge of slot 93, from theright-hand edge `of slot 93 `transversely to the right to the left-handedge of slot 94 and itrom the right-hand edge of slot 94 transversely tothe right to 'the right-hand edge of the cradle back portion 60. Thehorizontal transverse at strip member 103 is the same height and widththroughout.

Atixed to lthe uppermost ends of vertical angle members S6, S7, 88, 89,90 and 91, and mak-ing yup 'the top edge of the cradle back portion 60,is transverse angle member 108, the one leg of transverse angle mem-ber108 abuts the upper horizontal edges of vertical angle members S6, 87,88, 89, 90 and l91 yand the other leg extends vertically downward andabuts the rearmost edges of the backwardly extending leg portions ofvertical angle members 86, S7, 88, 89, 90 and 91.

Vertical strap threading guides, generally indicated at 109, 1110, land111, `are affixed at their top ends to the underside `of the `horizontalleg portion of transverse angle member 103 and extend verticallydownward and are aixed at ltheir lowermost ends lto lthe upper lfaces ofthe t horizontal 'portions -of channel members 61, l62, and 63 of the'cradle base portion 59.

In side view ('Fig. 3) the side portions of vertical strap threadingguides 109, 110 and 111 are a measured width at .their uppermost ends,the back 4edge angling tbackwardly and downwardly for a `measureddistance and then Aarcua'tely inwardly `to meet the 'top faces ofchannel members 61, 6?. and 63, the front edge extending directlyvertically "downward to meet the top faces of channel members 61, 62`and "63.

In cross section (Fig. 8) the vertical strap threading guides 109, 110and `111 are U-shaped at Yany given section. The side portions areabutted at theirrear edges by the back portions and also joined thereby.The front edges of the side portions abut the back :faces of thetransverse portions of vertical angle members 86, 87, `88, 89, `90 and91 and meet lthe edges of slots 92, 93 and 94. Thus are formed box-likestructures Ito the rear and enclosing slots '92, 93 and 94, havingparallel side portions and an |arcuate downwardly curved back portion.

At the lower rear corner of cradle member 2, their rear vertical sidesabutting cradle back portion 60, and their lower horizontal sidesabutting cradle base portion 59, are aixed runner guide 'plates 112,113, 114, 115, 116 and 117. f

Runner guide plate 112 is mounted with its lower horizontal edgeabutting the "top horizontal face of 'channel member AC3 and its rearvertical face abuttingI the front face of the transverse leg portion ofvertical 'angle member 86. Its right edge is lin direct alignment withthe 12 left edge of slot 92. Its front vertical edge abuts the rearvertical edge Iof small channel member 65.

Runner guide plate 113-is mounted `with vits lower horizontal edgeabutting the top horizont-al lface of channel member `63 and its rearvertical lface abutting the front yface of the transverse leg portionlof vertical :angle member 87. Its left edge is in direct alignment withthe right edge `of slot 92. Its front vertical edge abuts the rearvertical edge of small channel member 66.

Runner guide plate 114 is mounted with its lower horizontal edgeabutting the'top horizontal face of channel member 62 and its rearvertical face abutting the front face of the transverse leg portion ofvertical angle member 88. Its right edge is a measured distance from theleft edge of slot 93. Its front vertical edge abuts the rear verticaledge of small channel member 69.

Runner guide plate 115 is mounted with its lower horizontal edgeabutting the top horizontal face of channel member 62, and its rearvertical face abutting the front face of the transverse leg portion ofvertical angle mem ber 89. Its left edge is a measured distance from theright edge of slot 93. Its front vertical edge abuts the rear verticaledge of small channel member '70.

Runner guide plate 116 is mounted with its lower horizontal edgeabutting the top horizontal face of channel member 61 and its rearvertical face abutting the front 'face of the transverseleg portion ofvertical angle member 90. Its right edge is in direct alignment with theleft edge of slot 94. Its front vertical edge abuts the rear verticaledge of small channel member 72.

Runner guide plate 117 is mounted with its lower horizontal edgeabutting the top horizontal face of channel member 61 and its rearvertical face abutting the front face of the transverse leg portion ofvertical angle member 91. Its left edge is in direct alignment with theright edge of slot 94. Its front vertical edge abuts the rear verticaledge of small channel member 73.

In side view (Figs. 3 and 7) runner guide plates 112, 113, 114, 115, 116and 117 are a measured width at their bottom portion; the back edgesextending directly vertically upward t0 the tops, the front edgesextending directly vertically upward for a measured distance and thenangled a measured degree upwardly and forwardly for a measured distanceand then extending directly vertically upward for a measured distance totheir tops. In side view, runner guide plates 112, 113, 116, 117 are ofequal measured width and runner guide plates 114 and 115 are of greaterequal measured widths.

In the back, lower corner of cradle member 2, through the side legportions of channel members 61, 62 and 63 of the cradle base portion 59,a measured distance from their rearmost ends, and through the backwardlyextending leg portions of vertical angle members S6, 87, 88, 89, 90 and91 of the cradle back portion 60, a measured distance from theirlowermost ends, are formed measured size holes to receive cradlemounting screw 58 which also is engaged through holes in the side cradlemounting lugs 56 and the center cradle mounting lugs 57. This forms ahinged connection between cradle member 2 and base carriage member 1,which permits the cradle member 2 to be selectively placed in a tiltedposition.

Hingedly connected to the left vertical side of the cradle back portion60, and when in a closed position abutting cradle back portion 60 andcradle base portion 59, is a safety gate generally indicated at 118. Thesafety gate 118 is made up of a front Vertical side member 119, a rearvertical side member 120, a bottom horizontal strip member 121, a bottomhorizontal threading strap guide 122, a middle horizontal strip member123, a top horizontal threading guide 124 and a top horizontal stripmember 125;

The front vertical side member 119 is mounted with its widest faceforward' and extends from the top front corner of the safety gate` 118-directly vertically downward to the lowermost edge of the leftdownwardly extending leg portion of channel member 63 of the cradle baseportion 59. At the lower end of front vertical side member 119, on itsright-hand side, is a notched cut-out a measured distance horizontallyin from the right edge of front Vertical side member 119 and thenextending directly vertically downward to the bottom edge of frontvertical side member 119. The cut-out is such that when the safety gate118 is in a closed position, the front vertical side member 119Awillreceive the left side and a portion of the top of channel member 63, ofthe cradle base portion 59.

Rear vertical side member 120' is affixed parallel to front verticalside member 119 and is also positioned so that its widest face isforward. It extends at its top end to and abutting the underside of tophorizontal strip member 125 and at its bottom to and abutting the topside of bottom horizontal strip member 121.

Bottom horizontal strip member 121 is in a horizontal plane a measureddistance above the horizontal plane of the top side of channel member 63of the cradle base portion 59. It is a'xed so that it is abutting andperpendicular to the rear face of front Vertical side member 119 andextends rearwardly a measured distance beyond the lower edge of rearvertical side member 120. p

The bottom horizontal strap threading guide 122 is in a plane parallelto and a measured distance above the plane of the bottom horizontalstrip member 121. Bottom horizontal strap threading guide 122 abuts andis axed to front vertical side member 119 at its front end and abuts andis afxed to the rear vertical side member 120 at its back end.

Middle horizontal strip member 123 is in a plane parallel to, and ameasured distance above, the plane of the bottom horizontal strapthreading guide 122.` It abuts, and is aixed to, the front vertical sidemember 119 at its front end and abuts, and is axed to, the rear verticalside member 120 at its back end.

Top horizontal strap threading guide 124 is in a plane parallel to, anda measured distance above, the plane of the middle horizontal stripmember 123. It abuts, and is aflxed to, the front vertical 'side member119 at its front end and abuts, and is axed to, the rear vertical sidemember 120 at its back end.

Top horizontal strip member 125 is in a plane parallel to, and ameasured distance above, the plane of the top horizontal strap threadingguide 124. It abuts and is aixed to the top yedge of front vertical sidemember 119 yand extends horizontally rearwardly a measured distancebeyond the top edge of rear vertical side member 120.

Bottom horizontal strip member 121, bottom horizontal strap threadingguide 122, middle horizontal strip member 123, top horizontal strapthreading guide 124 and top horizontal strip member 125 all have anotched cut-out extending from their rearmost ends a measured distanceforwardly on their right-hand edges so that when the safety gate 118 isin a closed position, the notched cutouts will receive the sides and aportion of the front edges of the left-hand ends of horizontaltransverse at strip member 95, horizontal transverse flat strip member96, horizontal transverse channel member 97, horizontal .transversechannel member 98 and horizontal transverse at strip member 103 of thecradle back portion 60.

In top view, the horizontal strap threading guides 122 and 124 aresimilar to the vertical strip threading guides 109, 110 and 111 of thecradle back portion 60. That is, their top and bottom'side portions area measured width at their forwardmost ends with the left-hand edgeangling to the'left and rearwardly for a measured distance and thenarcuately to the right to meet the inside edge of rear 'vertical sidemember 120, and the right-hand edge extend- 'ing directly horizontallyrearwardly.

In cross section, the horizontal strap threading guides 122 and 124 arealso U-shaped at any given section. The top and bottom portions areabutted `at their left-hand edges by the vertical side portions and alsojoined thereby. Thus, there are formed box-like structures closed attheir left-hand side and opened to their right-hand side.

Mounted on the left-hand outside surface of the backwardly extending legportion of vertical angle member 86, of the cradle back portion 60, aresafety gate connecting lugs 126 and 127. Safety gate connecting lugs 126and 127 are axed to the vertical angle member 86 and extend horizontallyto the left a measured distance. Safety gate connecting lug 126 is axeda measured distance above and in a plane parallel to the plane of thetop surface of the cradle base portion 59. Safety gate connecting lug127 is atiixed in a plane parallel to the safety gate connecting lug 126and a measured distance below the uppermost edge of cradle back portion60. In top view (Figs. 8 and 9) the safety gate connecting lugs 126 and127 have 'straight back and right side edges with the left -side edgesextending forwardly into an arcuate left front corner and then into astraight front edge.

Formed through the central portion of safety gate connecting lugs 126and 127 and through the rearmost extendingportions of bottom horizontalstrip member 121 and top horizontal strip member 125 of the safety gate118,

are vertical holes to receive the vertical connecting pin` 128. Therearwardly extending portion of top horizontal strip member 125 of thesafety gate 118 extends above with its lower horizontal surface abuttingthe upper horizontal surface of safety gate connecting lug 127 and therearwardly extending portion of bottom horizontal strip member 121 ofthe safety gate 118 extends below and its upperhorizontal surface abutsthe lower horizontal surface of safety gate connecting lug 126. Thus isformed a hinged connection between safety gate 118 and the cradle backportion 60.

The rearmost extending portions of bottom horizontal strip member 121and top horizontal strip member 125 of the safety gate 118 are cut at anangle starting at a point a measured distance from their rearmost endsand angled to the left and rearwardly to their rearmost ends to formangle surfaces 129 and 130 (Figs. 4, 8 and 9). These angled surfaces 129and 130 are formed in such a way that when safety gate 118 is opened tothe left it can only be opened a measured amount until angled surfaces129 and 130 engage the left-hand outside surface of the rearwardlyextending leg portion of vertical angle member 86 of the cradle backportion 6l).l Thus, this permits the safety gate 118 only to be opened apredetermined distance.

On the front vertical surface of front vertical side member 119 of thesafety gate 118 and in its lower portion a measured distance from itslowerm-ost edge and a meas ured distance in from its left-hand edge ismounted a safety gate latch generally indicated at 131 (Figs. l0 andl1). In front view safety gate latch 131 has a horizontal top edge witharcuate left and right-hand edges. Its lower edge downward and to theright a measured degree into an arcuate portion and then angles upwardlya measured degree into hook portion 132. It is mounted on the frontvertical side member 119 of the safety gate 118 by a connecting screw133 which exten'ds through a hole a measured distance to the right ofthe left-hand edge and above the lower edge of safety gate latch 131.

ln the left-hand side of safety gate latch 131 a measured distance fromthe left-hand side and a measured distance from the top and bott-omsides is formed a hole 134. Through hole 134 is connected the lower endof a helical spring 135. The other end of the helical spring 135 isreceived through a cotter key 136 which in turn is received through ahole 137 in the front vertical side member 119 of the safety gate 118.Hole 137 is a measured distance above the lowermost end and a measureddistance in froml the left-hand side of front vertical side member 119of the safety gate 118.

Aixe'd to the right-hand surface of the left-hand downwardly extendingleg portion of channel member 63 of the cradle base portion 59 andabutting the underside of the horizontal portion :of channel member 63of the cradle base portion 59 is a horizontal forwardly extendinglatching pin 138. Latching pin 138 extends forward a measured distancebeyond the forwardmost end of channel member 63 and is received by thehook portion 132 of the safety gate latch 131 when the safety gate 118is in the closed position.

This reception of the latching pin 138 in the hook portion 132 of thesafety gate latch 131 is permitted by the right arcuate side portion ofthe safety gate latch 131 riding up ou latching pin 138 causing thesafety gate latch to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction aroundconnecting screw 133 and the helical spring 135 to extend. When thelatching pin 138 is in alignment with the hook portion 132 of the safetygate latoh 131, the helical spring 135 forces the hook portion 132 ofthe safety gate latch 131 to receive the latching pin 138 by pullingupwardly and forcing the safety gate latch 131 to pivot around theconnecting screw 133 in a clockwise direction.

Also on the front vertical face of front vertical side member 119 of thesafety gate 118 and extending forwardly a measured distance is stop pin139. Stop pin 139 is affixed a measured distance above the lowermost endof front vertical side member 119 and a measured distance in from itsleft-hand side so that it abuts the horizontal top edge of safety gatelatch 131 when the latch 131 is in a horizontal position. This limitsthe distance that the helical spring 135 can pivot the safety gate latch131 around the connecting screw 133 and makes it so that the right-handarcuate edge of safety gate latch 131 is always in a position to ride onthe latching pin 138, and also so that safety gate latch 131 can neverpivot far enough in the clockwise :direction so that latching pin 138would be above the top horizontal edge of safety gate latch 131.

ln the right-hand portion, a measured distance from the top horizontaledge and a measured distance in from the right-hand arcuate edge ofsafety gate latch 131, is Unlatching` pin 146. Unlatching pin 140 isreceived through a hole in the safety gate latch 131 and extendshorizontally forwardly a measured distance.

Mounted on the right-hand surface of the left-hand downwardly extendingleg portion of channel member 63- of the cradle base portion 59 is anautomatic safety gate unlatching bar generally indicated at 141.Unlatching bar 141 is pivotally aixed by means of a mounting screw 142which is received in a hole formed in mounting plate 143. Mounting plate143 is in turn affixed to the righthand surface of the downwardlyextending leg portion of channel member 63. The mounting screw 142 isreceived through a hole in the Unlatching bar 141 a measured distancefrom its rearmost end. Mounting plate 143 is mounted a measured distancefrom the front end of channel member 63 and its lower edge is inalignment with the lowermost edge of channel member 63.

in side view (Fig. 1l) the Unlatching bar 141 has a straight forwardlyand rearwardly extending portion 144 which terminates at its rearmostend in an upwardly extending portion 145, and at its forwardmost end inan Unlatching portion 146. The forwardly extending rear portion 145normally abuts the underside of the horizontal portion of the channelmember 63 at its top edge I and thus limits the downward movement of theunlatching portion 146 by limiting the amount the unlatching bar 141 canpivot in a counter-clockwise direction around mounting crew 142.

When the cradle member 2 is selectively tilted so that the cradle baseportion 59 is in a horizontal position, the underside of the straightportion 144 of the Unlatching bar 141 strikes against the front member 4of the base carriage member 1, and forces the Unlatching bar 141 to bepivoted -around mounting screw 142 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 1l).As the unlatching bar 141 pivots in a clockwise direction,y theunlatching portion 146 strikes the Unlatching pin in the safety gatelatch 131, forcing the safety gate latch 131 to pivot in acounterclockwise direction around connecting screw 133 (Fig. 10). Thelatching pin 138 is then disengaged from the hook portion 132 of thesafety gate latch 131 so that the safetyy gate 118 can be selectivelymoved in a left-hand direction.

It will now be necessary to describe the construction of thel brickpackage, a perspective View of which is shown in Fig. 13, which, as wasbefore stated, is not claimed as a part of this invention but is`-merely shown to more clearly describe the workings of the various partsof the brick packageforming machine comprising the present invention.

Referring to Figure 13, the brick package, generally indicated at 15G',is made up of three brick runner strips 151, 152, and 153 underneathwhich are three corrugated cardboard strips 154, and 156 and over whichare tive layers of bricks generally indicated at 157, 158, 159, and 161which layers are separated by sheets of chipboard 170. The brick package150 may be held together by horizontal straps 162 which extendhorizontally around layers 158V and 160 of the package and cover sidecorrugated cardboard strips 163, 164, and 166. On the upper front andrear corners of the fifth layer 161 of bricks are front and rearcorrugated cardboard strips 167 and 168. Over these are vertical straps169 which go under the brick runner strips 151, 152 and 153 and aroundthe brick package 150. Between the rst and second layers of bricks, thesecond and third layers of bricks, the third and fourth layers ofbricks, and the fourth and fifth layers of bricks are sheets ofchipboard indicated at 170.

The entire brick package 150 is made up of bricks standing on theirnarrowest, longest faces ywith the exception that the runner strips 151,152 and 153 are made up of bricks laying on their widest, longest faces.The left side brick runner strip 151 extends from front to rear and ismade up of three bricks laid end to end. Runner strip 151 is a measureddistance to the right of the left-hand edge of the first layer of bricks157.

The center runner strip 152 is made up of six bricks with their longest,narrowest faces abutting each other and their ends extending to theright and to the left center runner strip 152 is centrally locatedbetween the left and right-hand edges of the first layer of bricks 157.

Right-hand runner strip 153 is identical to the left-hand runner strip151 and is set in a measured distance from the right-hand edge of thetirst layer of bricks 157.

The first layer of bricks 157 is made up of four rows of ten bricks asshown in Fig. 14. Each row is assembled so that the bricksl arevabutting each other on their widest, longest faces, and the bricks ofeach row abut the bricks of the next row at their ends.

The second layervof bricks 158 is made up of three rows of ten brickseach sitting in the same position as 1n row 1 (Fig. 15 On the left-handside of these three rows of bricks is one row of three bricks set end toend, with this row extending a measured distance in front of and behindthe other three rows. On the right-hand s1de are two rows of threebricks each laid end to end. These also extend a measured distancebeyond the other three rows at the front and at the rear.

The third layer of bricks 159 is identical to the first layer of bricks157 (Fig. 14).

The fourth layer of bricks 160 is identical to the second layer ofbricks 158 with the exception that the single row of three bricks laidend to end is on the right-hand s1de and the double row of three brickslaid end to end 1s on the left-hand side (Fig. 16).

The top or fifth layer of bricks 161 is identical tothe first layer ofbricks '157 and the third layer of bricks 159 (Fig. 14).

Chipboard is used between each of the layers of brlcks 157, 158, 159,1450 and 161 so that there is something cmpressible between the layersof brick to .allow the steel straps 162 and 169 to tightlyy fasten andsecurely bind the package. It also serves to take up any unevenness ofthe bricks and helps prevent them from sliding on or damaging each otherduring transportation.

It is also frequently desirable to place a sheet of corrugated cardboardover the brick runner strips 151, 152 and 153 before assembling the rstlayer of bricks 157 thereabove. This may serve to better tie the packagetogether.

Operation of the improved brick package forming machine can best beshown by describing step by step thev actual procedure followed in thebuilding of a brick package. In the beginning the cradle member 2 is ina slightly tilted position las shown in Fig. 3, held there by thehelical springs 42 which are retained in the spring retaining members 41of the base carriage member 1.

Firstly, the telescoping lifting bar 149 is placed'in its extendedposition and, using this as a lever arm, the cradle member 2 is placedin Ia tilted position slightly beyond center to the rear, so that thetops of the cradle positioning screws 43 are resting against back sidesof the rearwardly extending leg portions of the vertical angle members86 and 91 of the cradle back portion 60. Since the cradle member y2 isbeyond center to the rear, the force of gravity holds it in the tiltedposition against the cradle positioning screws 43. The safety gate 118is in a closed position so that the hook portion 132 of the safety gatelatch 131 is engaged over the latching pin 138. The telescopingliftingbar 149 is then placed in its retracted position.

As the cradle member 2 is raised to a tilted position, the cradleconnecting lugs 39, which are attached to the channel member 62 of thecradle baserportion 59, force the connecting rod and plunger 30 of theoil cylinder 26 toward its extended position. v As the connecting rodand plunger 30 is forced into extended position, the oil in the frontpart of the cylinder l26 is forced through by-pass` tube portion 34,by-pass valve 33 4and by-pass tube portion 32, into the back part `ofthe cylinder 26 and below the connecting rod and plunger 30. p

Also, as the connecting rod and plunger 30 are extended, the connectingpin 37 is forced to the front part of the slot 36 in the connectingportion 35 of the connecting rod, and the oil cylinder 26 pivots aroundthe connecting pin 28 in the mounting holes 25 connecting the rearmounting ring 27 of the oil cylinder 26 to thev oil cylinder mountinglugs 21 on the base carriage member 1. Because the by-pases valve 33 isopen for oil to freely pass in this direction, the ycylinder 26 oersvery little resistance to the cradle member 2 being placed in a tiltedposition.

When the cradle member 2 is in tilited position as shown in Fig. 12, thehelical spring 51a forces the safety foot lever 47 to rotate slightly ina counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 12) around connecting screw 53.k'Ihis causes the notched cut-out 55 in the arcuate upwardly extendingportion 50 of the foot lever 47 to be received over the square piece ofsteel plate 55a which is aixed to the side of the crade member 2. Thusthe cradle member 2 is safely held in a tilted position.

The workman then places the corrugated cardboard strips 154, 155 and 156in place. from a measured distance beyond the front edge of cradle baseportion 59, the length of cradle base portion 59, to the lower frontedges of the runner guide plates 112, 113, 114, 115, `116 and 117. Theythen extend a measured distance up the front vertical faces of therunner guide plates as can best be seen in Figs. 17 and 18. Thecorrugated cardboard strips 154, 155 and 156 lay flat against the tophorizontal portions of small channel members 65, 66, 69, 70, 72,and 73of the channel members 63, 62 and 61 of the cradle base portion 59.

In width, the corrugated cardboard strip 154 extends from the right-handside of the vertically extending leg These strips extendv bricks sittingon their longest, narrowest faces and of the angle 64 on the channelmember 63 to theright to the right-hand edge of small channel memberr 66on the channel member 63. In width, the corrugated cardboard stripextends from the righthand side of the forwardly extending leg portionof the angle member l68 on the channel member62 and vextends to theright a measured distance to the right of the right-hand edge of channelmember 62.- The corrugated cardboardstrip 156, in width, extends fromthe leftha'nd` edge-of the vertically extendingleg portion of anglemember 75 on the channel member 61 to the left to the left-handfedge ofsmall channel member 72 on the channel memberwl.

The three bricks of brick runner strip 151 are placed so that their leftedges abut the vertically extending leg portion of angle 64 of thechannel member 63 and so.v that their bottom faces are laying .on ythecorrugated cardboard strip 154 which in turn lays'on small channelvmembers 65 and 66. 'Ihe rear edge voi: the rearmost brick abuts theforwardmost edgeofthe runner guide plates 112 and 113 (Fig. 17).

The center brick runner strip 152 is placed so that the left-hand` endsof its six bricks abut the` right-handv 69 and 70 on the channel member62. The rearmost. edge of the rearmost brick abuts the forwardmostverti-l.- Y cal edge of the runnervguide plates 114 and1*15 (Fig.

The rright-hand brick runner strpissis sneed 'Se rthat the right-handedges ofthe three bricks abut the vertically extending leg portionofangle 75. yThe bottom` faces of the brick lay on the corrugatedcardboard strip 156 which in turn lays on rthe top of the small channelmembers 472 and l73 of the channel member 61. The rearmost edge of therearmost brick abuts ,the frontmost vertical edgev of the runnerl guideplates .116 andv1717. (Fig. 17). 1 v Y" On top of the brick 157 consistsof four rows of tenfbricks .each with the their widest, longest facestowards the front.I

The back faces' of the rearmost bricks of eachvof vthe four rowsabuts-'the forwardmost edge of horizontal transverse ilat strip member95 of the `cradle backpor tion 60 (Fig. 17) and theleft-hand edge of theleft-hand row of bricks abuts the right-hand edge of the bottomhorizontal strip member 121 of the safety gate 118 (Fig.

19.) It can be seen that, by starting to buildtheiirst layer of bricks157 from the left-hand rear corner and using the bottom horizontal stripmember 121k of the safe7 ty gate 118 and the horizontal transverse flatstrip member 95 of the cradle back portion 60 as guides, the'rst layerof bricks 157 can be very speedily-and accuratelyas- I sembled.

Next, one of the sheets of vchipboard is placed on. top of the firstlayer ofbricks `157 as canqbe seen in Figs. 17, 18 and 19. Sidecorrugated cardboard vstrip?v 163` is also put in place, with itsleft-hand side abutting the right-hand edge of bottom horizontal strapthreadingy guide v122 and with its lrearmost end `extending rear wardly`to the front left-hand edge of channel portion 99 of the horizontaltransverse channel member 97 and. then to the right a measured distancein the notched cutout that is thereA formed.

the top of the sheet of chipboard and abutting-the right.-

(Figs. 8, 13 and 19). On

hand face of side corrugated cardboard strip 163 is built the secondlayer of bricks 158 as shown in Fig. l5. Y, As can be seen in Fig. 15,the second layer of bricks,

158 is made up of a left-hand row of three ybrickslaid runner strips151,. 152 is built the first layer of-bricks157, as shown -inFig. 14. Ascan be seen in Fig. 14 the first layer of bricks v1.9 rear and theirlongest, widestfaces to the sides. T o thef'right' of the left-handrowof'thieexbricksare three rows of ten4 brick-s each, withy thef brickssittingjon :their longest; narrowest' Afacesiand theirlongest;widest-'faces tothe frontand-rear.V On the "right-hand side vof thesecond'layer of bricks 158faretwo'rowsV of three bricks each'inthesamecposition as Athe row Vof three bricks on the leftehand side;

The -secondrlayerof bricks 158 is `also built starting withthe'left-handtrow offthree bricks'. The iirst brick put inplaceisthebrick inthe leftfrearfcorner, andrit is placed so'thatA its rearmostend abuts the forwardrnost extending edges ofchannel `portion,99of thehorizontal transverse channel member'97 :of the cradle back vportion60-=and so that its left-handyedge abuts the right-hand` edge-of sideVcorrugatedtcardboard strip 163'which abuts the-b`ottom horizontal.'strap threading guide 122 of the safety'-gate"118' The front twobricksof the left-hand rowof the second layer ofbricks- 158 are placed infront and abutting the'rst brick'and sotthat their left-hand edges alsoabut the `right-handedge off side corrugated cardboard'4 strip 163"whichabuts` the bottomV horizontal strap threading guide122`of the safetygate1181'(Fig. 19,).

The three rows" of vten bricks'each are then placed tightly against"the'left-hand row of 'three bricks so that the rearmostf'bricks of thesethreerows abut the forwardmost edges ofchannel portions 100 and 101 ,ofthe horizontal transverse channel rmember 97 of ,the cradleb'ack'portion"60. The two right-hand rows of three bricks each arelthenplaced tightly against the rightand edge of; the right-'handmow 'of tenbricks with' the back edgesofthe rearmostbricks yabutting the` cut-outin 4thl'exglztt. end` of'channel portion -101 of the horizontaltransversechannel'member 97' and the forwardmost extending .edges .ofchannel portion` 102 ofthe horizontal transverseA channel member97(Figs. 17'and 18).

Ontop ofthe completedsecond klayer of bricks 158 is placed'I anothersheet of chipboard 170"(Figs. 17, 18 and 19). On top of .the sheet ofchipboard is .built the third layer of bricksk 159, the thirdlayer ofbricks 159 beingA identical to the .iirstlayer .ofbricks167g as shown inFig.

14.' It is built, astheirst two layers were built, starting..

with the' rearmost brick" in the left-hand row. The 'lefthand edges nofthe bricks in the thirdllayer abut the righthandcdge of :the middlehorizontal strip member 123 of thejsafety'gate 118; andthe rearmostbricks' abut the forwardmost Vstripl member 96 'of the cradleback'portion 60l (Figs. y17 land`18).l i

On top of the third layer of ',bricks159 is placed another sheet1ofchipboard 170." Also,side'corrugated cardboard ystripg164 is put inplace with its left=hand side abuttingv the right-hand edgeofitophorizontal strap: threading t guide 124,',and with tsrearmost end'extending rearwardly` to the frontleft-hand'edge'of channel portion 104of the horizontal transverse channel'member; 98and then to the rightaimeasured distancev into vthe notched"A cut-out that isv there kformedin thev leftendof channel portion104 (Figs.,8, 13 and 19). On top of thesheet of chipboard and abutting the right-hand faceof sidecorrugatedcardboardrstrip` 164 is built the fourthlayer lof bricks 160asy shown inFig; 16.

Asican be seen in Fig;v 16 the fourth layer of bricks 160 is justthereverse ofthe second layer of bricks 158. That is, the fourth layer ofbricks'160 consists of two rows'ofthree bricks on its right-hand fside.The-fourth layer is lbuilt up,A as the'otherl layers were, starting withthe rearmostbrick in the left-hand row.

The first brick is placed so that its rearmost end abuts theforwardrnost'-extendingI edges ofchannel portion 104 ofthehorizontaltransversechannel member 98 of the cradle portion 60, andsothat its left-hand edge abuts the, right-hand edge of side vcorrugatedcardboardl strip 164 which abuts the top horizontal strap threadingguide 124 ofthe safetygate 118. The fronttwo bricks ofthe left-hand rowof the fourth layer of bricks 160 are placed inl frontV andI Iabuttingthe rstbrick so that theirV left? handedges also abut the right-handedgeof side corrugated cardboardr strip164 which abuts' the, topy horizontalstrap threadingV guide 124 ofV the safety gate 118 (Fig. 19).

The second row` of threev bricks is` placed tightly up against the'rstrowof three bricks so that the rearmost end of its rearmost brickabuts-the notched'cut out in the left end of channel portion 105.` Threerows of ten bricks'each are then placed tightly against the rst twoleft-hand rows of three bricks eachrso that their back faces of theirrearrnost bricks abut`the'forward extend# ing Aedges of channel portionsand 106 of channel member 98 -of the cradle back portion 60.` The right#hand row of three bricks is then placed tightly against the three rowsof ten bricks eachso that the rearmost' end of the rearmost brick'abutsthe forwardmost `extendingedges of channel portion 107 lof the channelmember 98.

Another sheetof chipboard 170 is placed on'top'of thefourth layer'ofbricks 160. On top of the sheet yof chipboard is placed the'fth layer ofbricks 161. The fifth layer of bricks 161 is identical to the thirdlayerof bricks 159 and the-lirst layer of bricks 157. That is, itconsists of foury rows of ten bricks each as shown in` Fig. 14.

Thisv layer of bricks is again'built from the' left rearL corner withthe back face ofthe rearmost brick of the left-hand rowlabuttingltheforwardmost edge of horizontal transverse fiat strip member 103 ofthe cradle backV Next, the'side corrugated cardboard strip 165isrplaced` so that its rearmost end is inserted between the back edge ofthe rearmost brick in the right-'hand row of the second layer' oflbricks 158'- and the back edge of theY notched cut-out'l formed inthe-channelportion 102 of the channel member`97 of the cradleback'portion 60.` The' side corrugated cardboard strip 165 is then bentso thatit extends forwardly and abuts the right-hand edge ofthe secondlayerof bricks 158; Side corrugated cardboardv strip 166-`is similarly,placed around the right-hand edge of theffourth` layerof 4bricks 160, sothat its rearrnost edgeextends between the back face of the rearmostbrick in the righthand row and the back edge of the notched cut-outin-channel portion 107 of the channel member 93 inthe cradle backportionl60, and so that'it extends forwardlyeand abuts theright-hand'edge of the fourthlayer of bricks 160.l

and the arcuate left-hand edges of strap threading guides 122 and124-causesthe strapsto go-around the-left-hand sides'of the secondlayerY of bricks158 and thefourthlayerofl bricks andvpass betweentheforwardly extending leggportions of channel members 97 and 98 of thecradle back portion'60c The ends ofthe strap ultimately end up, afterhaving circled the left sides and therearsides of thesecondandfourthlayers of bricks 158 and 160, protrudingfrom'the rearvright-handcorner of the brick packaging machine.` 1

Theworkman then lgraspsathese protruding ends of the straps andcontinues to circle them around the right-hand sidesl and the frontsides of 'the second layer of bricks 158 of the fourth layer of bricks160 and on thefront# facefof vvthe second andfourth layersl fof bricksjoins the ammi that the cradle base portion 59 is in a horizontalv`plane.

This is accomplished by the workman placing his foot on the foot pad 49of the safety foot lever 47 and causing the safety foot lever 47 torotate in a clockwise direction (Fig. 12),'thereby extending helicalspring 51a and causing the notched cut-out 55 in the arcuate upwardlyextending portion 50 of the safety foot lever 47 to be disengaged fromthe steel plate 55a on the cradle base portion 59. He then grasps thevsafety handle members 76, 80 or S4 or the telescoping lifting bar 149and forces the cradle member 2 to rotate in a -clockwise directionl(Fig. 12). As the loaded cradle member 2 rotates past center the weightof the bricks forces the cradle base portion 59 downwardly.

This downward motion is resisted by the oil cylinder 29 which allows thecradle member 2 to slowly move to normal position. Only slow downwardmotion of the cradlemember 2 is allowed since by-pass valve 33 of thevoil cylinder 29 is closed for oil moving to the front of the cylinderand no oil passes through by-pass tube portion 32 or by-pass tubeportion 34, but rather all oil moving to `the front part of air cylinder29 must pass through 'a small orice in the plunger of the cylinder.

- As the cradle member 2 approaches normal position, the cradle baseportion 59 engages the top `ends of helical springs 42, which are heldinthe spring retaining members 41 of the base carriage member 1, andcauses vthese lhelical springs 42 to compress. Also, as the cradlemember 2 approaches normal position, the bottom edge of the unlatchingbar 141 strikes the topk edge of the front :member 4 of the basecarriage 1 and forces the unlatch- .ing barv141 to rotate in a clockwisedirection (Fig. ll).

This causes the unlatching portion 146 ofk the unlatch- I'ing bar 141 tostrike the unlatching pin 140 in the safety ,gate latch 131 and therebyforces the safety gate latch 131 to rotate in a counter-clockwisedirection (Fig. l0) ,l

extending helical spring 135 and causing the hooked portion 132 todisengage the latching pin 138. Once the cradle 2 is completely returnedto normal position, so -that the cradle base member 59, is horizontal,the safety gate 118 can be swung to the left away from the brickpackage. v

Next, the workman places the front corner corrugated y'cardboard strip167 over the. top front edge of the fth layer of bricks 161 and the rearcorner corrugated cardboard strip 168 over the top rear corner of thefth layer -of bricks 161, as seen in Fig. 13. He then is ready to placevertical straps 169 vertically around the bric package.

The three vertical strapsv 169 are started at the top back corner of thebrick package and fed into the top vof slots 92, 93 and 94 of the cradleback portion; 60. vAs vertical straps 169 are fed into these slots 92,93 and '94, they protrude into vertical strap threading guides 109, 110and 111. y l

Because of the box-like arcuate back edge structure of the verticalstrap threading guides 109, 110 and 111, as the vertical straps 169 arefed into them, the straps .are forced downwardly around the back` of thebrick -package and thence forwardly at the bottom of lthe brick packageinto slots 67, 71 and 74 formed on the channel members 63, 62 and 61between the small channel members 65, 66, 69, 70, 72' and 73 of thecradle base portion 59. The vertical straps 169 proceed forwardlythrough 4the slots 67, 71 and .74 and end up protruding from the frontbottom :edge ofthe brick package.

The workman then grasps these protruding ends and Yplates and 85a.

vcompressed position, force continues to circle the vertical straps 169around the front ksteel straps 169 causes the ends of the corrugatedcardboard strips 154, and 156, under the brick runner strips 151, 152and 153to be bent upwardly around the front and rear corners of brickrunner strips 151, 152' and 153. v

The brick package is now ready for removal from the brick packageforming machine by means of a fork lift truck or the like. The forks ofa fork lift truck are inserted between the brick runner strips 151 yand152 and between the brick runner strips 152 and 153.v As the forks ofthe lift ytruck are inserted at these points under the brick package,they will be between channel members 61 and 62 and between channelmembers 62 and 63 of the cradle base portion 59, and the ends of theforks will strike lthe topv surface ofthe fork deflectng Because of theangled .positionof the fork deflectng plates 85 and 85a the' forks ofthe fork lift truck will be forced upwardly into their proper positionunder the first layer of bricks .157 and between the channel members 61and 62 and 63. f

The purpose of this procedure is so that the fork lift truck operatormay always keep *the forks low enough to strike the fork deflectngplates 85 and 85a rather than trying to accurately gauge the fork heightin the spaces between the brick runner strips. By followingthisprocedure there is no danger of theforks striking the front bottomcorner of the lfirst layer of bracks 157 and thereby seriouslydamagingthe package. i.

Once the forks of the fork lift truck have ,been inserted into place,the package may be lifted .directlyvvertically `upward, as can be seenin Fig. 20. As the package is lifted vertically upward and part oftheweight of the brick package is lifted from the cradle member 23, thehelical springs 42 in the spring retaining membersv 41 of the basecarriage member 1, which have been -in .a the cradle member 2 toagainbegin to tilt. v

This tilting action of cradle member 2 and also the upwardly angledposition of the top `forwardly extending leg portions of channel members97 and 98 of the cradle back portion 60 allows the back of the brickpackage to` clear the cradle back portion 60 so thatl noneof :the bricksor the horizontal straps 162 are damaged. Also, because of theconfiguration of runner guide plates 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 and 117,the back upwardly yextending ends of the corrugated cardboard strips154, 155,.and 156 under the brick runner strips 151, 152 and 153 areable to.slide past the front surface of.the.runner guide plates 112,113, 11.4,` .115, 116 and117 and therefore are not torn or damaged.Since the safety gate 118 has been swung to the -left .away from thebrick package from the time the cradle member 2 had been returnedtonormal position, the safety gate k118 doesnot vin any way hinder theremoval of the brick package from the brick package forming machine.v

After the brick package has been removed from the brick package formingmachine it may be moved either into storage or on to transportationmeans. yAlso, after the brick package has been removed from the brickpackage forming machine, thefbrick package forming machine is ready foranother package to be formed thereon. The safety `'gate 118 is swung tothe right until itsbottom` portion abuts the channel member 63 of thecradle base portion 59 and the safety gate latch 131 automaticallylatches over latching pin 138, holding the safety gate.118

v23* safety gate 118 because after the brickpackage was removed from thejbrickpackage forming machine and the Acradle member 2' returned lto itsslightly vtilted position,

the unlatching portion 146 was no longer in Contact with unlatching pin140.

It can be seen from the above description thatthe brick package formingmachine herein disclosed is one upon which the brick packaging operationcan be done conveniently, quickly and economically'by one man due to theunique guides for placing the bricks in their proper place in ythe'brickpackage and also for vguiding the various steel straps around the brickpackage. Itis also apparent that by use of this brick package vformingmachine with the tilted cradle position for loading, the bricks nestl'against each other and in place by their own force o 'r' gravity and`thereby form a tight brick package.

Further, here is presented a Abrick package forming machine havingmovable means so that the machine can ybe taken directly into thebrickkilnand there loadedl to eliminate double vhandling of the bricks. Andas the bricks are loaded on the brick package forming machine, becauseofthe unique tilted position of the cradle, the bricks are essentiallyclean of any particles of baked to the 'exact `details of theconstruction shown.

- Having now described the invention, the construction, operation anduse of a preferred embodiment thereof and the advantageous, new anduseful results obtained thereby, the new and useful construction andreasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled inthe art are set forth in the appended claims.

A'What we claim is:

l. Abrick package forming machine including a base carriage member, acradle member, cooperating hinge means on said-base carriage and cradlemembers hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriagemember, a vertical side gate having an inner face, said gate beinghingedly connected to said cradle member, and

guide means on said side gate partially extending goutward from theinner face of said side gate serving as guides for positioning `eachlayer kof bricks in a particular `lateral position in a brick packagebeing formed.

l2. A brick package forming machine including a base v,carriage member,a cradle member having a ,horizontal ybase portion with an upper sideand a vertical back portion with a front face, cooperating hinge meanson said base carriage'and cradle ymembers hingedly connecting saidcradle member-to said base carriage member, a side gate having aninner'face, said gate being hingedly connected -to said cradle member,guide means extending outward from the upper side of said horizontalcradle base -portion and voutward from the front face of said verticalcradle back portionserving as guides for positioning bricks in theirproper place in a brick package being formed, -and guide means partiallyextending outward from the inner face of said side gate `serving asVguides for'positioning each'layer of bricks in a particularlateralposition ina brick package being formed.

3. Amachine upon which bricks are formed into a package bound by straps,said machine including a base vcarriage member, a cradle member having ahorizontal baser-portion and a vertical 'back portion, cooperating hingemeans on said base carriage'and cradle members hingedly connecting saidcradle member to said'base carriage member, a side gate hingedlyconnected to said cradle member, strap guide means on said cradle membervertical back portion and said side gate to guide horizontalstrapsaround the brick Ypackageincluding arcuately formed box-like strapguides `on at least one of said portion and gate for guiding strapsacross said one of said portion and gate and then in an arcuate pathinto thestrap guides on the other of said portion and gate.

4. A machine upon vwhich bricks are formed into a package bound bystraps, said machine including a base carriage member, a cradle memberhaving a horizontal base portion and a vertical back portion,cooperating hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriagemember, strap guide means on said cradle member horizontal base portionand Vertical back portion to guide vertical straps around the brickpackage including arcuately formed box-like strap guides on at least oneof said hinge4 means on said base carriage and cradle members ,portionsfor guiding strap-s across said one portion and then in an arcuate pathinto the strap guides on the other o f said portions, a side gatehingedly Aconnected to said cradle membenand strap guide means on saidcradle member vertical back portion and said side gate to guidehorizontal straps around the brick package including arcuately formedbox-like strap guides onat `leastone of said portion and gate forguiding straps across said one of said portion and gate and then in anarcuate path into the strap guides on the other of said portion andgate.

5. A brick package forming machine including a base carriage member, acradle member having a horizontal base portion with an upper side and avertical back portion with a front face, cooperating hinge means on saidbase carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle memberto said base carriage membenguide means extending outward from the upperside of said horizontal cradle base portion and outward from the front`tace of said vertical cradle back portion serving as guides forpositioning bricks in their proper place, and cushion means constructedto automatically tilt said cradle member from normal position to aslightly tilted position as the brick package is being lifted from thebrick package forming machine so that said guide means on said cradlemember is out of engagement with the brick package.

L6. A machine upon which bricks are formed into a package bound bystraps, said machine including a base carriage member, a cradle memberhaving a horizontal base portion with an-upper side and a vertical backportion with a Afront face, cooperating hinge means on s aid basecarriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member tosaid base carriage member, a side gate having an inner face, said gatebeing hingedly connected to said cradle member, guide means extendingoutward from the upper side of said horizontal cradle base portion andoutwardfrorn the front face of said vertical cradle back portion servingas guides for positioning the bricks in their proper place, guide meanspartially extending outward from the inner face of said side gateserving as guides for positioning the bricks in their proper place, andstrap guide means on said cradle member vertical back portionand saidside gate to guide horizontal straps around the brick package includingarcuately formed box-like strap guides on yat least one of said portionand gate for guiding straps across said one of said portion and gate andthen in an arcuate path into the strap guides on the other of saidportion and gate.

7. A machine upon which bricks are formed into a package hound bystraps, said machine including a base carriage member, a cradle memberhaving a horizontal base portion with an upper side and a vertical backportion with a front face, `cooperating hinge means on said basecarriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member tosaid base vcarriage member, a side gate -having aninner face, said gatebeing hingedly connected to said cradle membengnide means extendingoutward from the upper side of usaid horizontal cradle Atially extendingoutward from the inner face of said side gate serving as guides forpositioning the bricks in their proper place, strap guide means on saidcradle member horidontal base portion and vertical back portion to guidevertical straps around the brick package including arcuately formedbox-like strap` guides on at least one of said portions for guidingstraps across said one portion and then in an arcuate path into thestrap guides on the other of said portions, and strap guide means onsaid cradle member vertical back portion and said side gate to guidehorizontal straps around the brick package including arcuately formedbox-like strap guides on at least one of said vportion and gate forguiding straps across said one of said portion and gate and then in anarcuate path into the strap guides on the other of said portion andgate.

8. A machine upon which bricks are formed into a package bound bystraps, said machine including a base carriage member, a cradle memberhaving a horizontal base portion with an upper face and a vertical backportion with a front face, cooperating hinge means on said base carriageand cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle member to said basecarriage member, a side gate having an inner face, said gate beinghingedly connected to said cradle member, guide means extending outwardfrom the upper side of said horizontal cradle base portion and outwardfrom the front face of said vertical cradle back portion serving asguides for positioning the bricks in their proper place, guide meanspartially extending outward from the inner face of said side gateserving as guides for positioning the bricks in their proper place,strap guide means on said cradle member horizontal base portion andvertical back portion to guide vertical straps around the brick packageincluding arcuately formed box-like strap guides on at least one of saidportions for guiding straps across said one portion and then in anarcuate path into the strap guides on the other of said portions, strapguide means on said cradle member vertical back portion and said sidegate to guide horizontal straps around the brick package includingarcuately formed box-like strap guides on at least one of said portionand gate for guiding straps across said one of said portion or said gateand then in an arcuate path into the strap guides on the other of saidportion and gate, means positively holding said cradle member in thetilted position, cylinder means engaged with said cradle member and saidbase carriage member vconstructed to slowly and safely return saidcradle member from tilted position to normal position, cushion meansautomatically tilting said cradle member as the brick package is beinglifted from the brick package forming machine so that said guide meanson said cradle member back portion is out of engagement with the brickpackage, adjustable stop means to position said cradle member in thetilted position, latch means `latching said side gate in its closedposition, automatic unlatching means to unlatch the side gateautomatically when the cradle member is returned to normal positionincluding an unlatching bar pivotally mounted on one of said cradlemember and base carriage member engaged by the other of said members andengaging the latch means during said return movement of said cradlemember, a telescoping lifting member on said cradle member, and forkdellecting plates on said cradle member.

9. A brick package forming machine including a base carriage member, acradle member having a horizontal base portion and a vertical backportion, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage and cradlemembers hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriagemember, the cradle member being movable between a normal position inwhich the cradle base portion extends generally horizontally and atilted loading position in which said base portion is angled fromhorizontal, a side gate hingedly connected to the cradle member andmovable between an open and closed position, latch means for securelyretaining the side gate in closed position, and unlatching means forautomatically unlatching said latch means when the cradle member ismoved from its tilted loading position to its normal position.

l0. A brick package forming machine including a base carriage member, acradle member having a horizontal base portionA and a vertical backportion, cooperating hinge means on said base carriage and cradlemembers hingedly connecting said cradle member to said base carriagemember, the `cradle member being movable between a normal position inwhich the cradle base portion extends gener-y ally horizontally and atilted loading position in which said base portion is angled fromhorizontal, selectively releasable means for securely retaining saidcradle member in said tilted loading position, a side gate hingedlyconnected to the cradle member and movable between an open and closedposition, latch means for securely retaining the side gate in closedposition, and unlatching means for automatically unlatching said latchmeans when the cradle member is moved from its tilted loading positionto its normal position.

11. A brick package for-ming machine including a base carriage member, acradle member having a horizontal base portion `with an upper side and avertical back portion with a front face, cooperating hinge means on saidbase carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle memberto said base carriage member, the cradle member being movable between anormal position in which the cradle base portion extends generallyhorizontally and a tilted loading position in which said base portion isangled from horizontal, selectively releasable means for securelyretaining said cradle member in said tilted loading position, guidemeans extending outward from the upper side of said horizontal cradlebase portion and outward from the front face of said vertical cradleback portion serving as guides for positioning bricks in their properplace, and cushion means constructed to automatically tilt said cradlemember from normal position to a slightly tilted position as the brickpackage is being lifted from the forming machine so that said guidemeans on said cradle member is out of engagement with the brick package.

l2. A brick package forming machine including a base carriage member, acradle member having a horizontal base portion With an upper side and avertical back portion with a front face, cooperating hinge means on saidbase carriage and cradle members hingedly connecting said cradle memberto said base carriage member, the cradle member being movable between anormal position in which the cradle base portion extends generallyhorizontally and a tilted loading position in which said base portion isangled from horizontal, guide means extending outward from the upperside of said horizontal cradle base portion and outward from the frontface of said vertical cradle back portion serving as guides forpositioning bricks in their proper place, a side gate hingedly connectedto the cradle member and movable between an open and closed position,latch means for securely retaining the side gate in closed position,unlatching means for automatically unlatching said latch means when thecradle member is moved from its tilted loading position to its normalposition, and cushion means constructed to automatically tilt saidcradle member from normal position to -a slightly tilted position as thebrick package is being lifted from the forming machine so that saidguide means on said cradle member is out of engagement with the brickpackage.

13. A brick package forming machine including a base carriage member, acradle member having a horizontal base portion with an upper side and -avertical back portion. with a front face, cooperating hinge means onsaid base carriage and lcradle members hingedly connectingsaid-*cradlemem'ber to said base carriage member, the

cradle member beingmovable between a normal position in'which the cradlebase portion extends generally horizontally and a tilted loadingposition in which said base portion is angled from horizontal,selectively releasable means for securely retaining said'cradle memberin said tiltedloading position, guide means extending outward from theupper side of said horizontal cradle base portion and outward from thefront face of said vertical cradle backportion serving as guides forpositioning bricks in theirlproper place, -a side gate hingedlyconnected to the cradle member and movable between au open and closedposition, latch means for securely retaining the side gate in closedposition, unlatching means for automatically unlatching said latch meanslwhen the cradle member is movedfrom its tilted loading position toitsnormal position, and cushion means constructed to 28 automatically tiltsaid cradle. member. from normal .posif tion to a slightlytiltedposition as the 'brick package is being liftedfrom 'the formingmachine so thatsaid guide means 4on said cradle member is out ofengagement with the brick package..

References Cited in the ile of thisp-atent UNITED -STATESV PATENTS1,119,685 Crum Dec. 1, 1914 1,121,658" Pe'neld Dec. 22, 1914 1,626,933"Hawkins May 3, 1927 1,769,452 Murray July 1, 1930 1,777,694 HaltemanOct. 7, 1930 2,160,303 Card May 30, 1939 2,287,056 Owens .lune 23, 1942.2,522,588 Sutherland Sept. 19, 1950l 2,616,361 Friesner Nov. 4, 19522,658,630 Melin Nov. 10, 1953 2,664,813' Rose Jan. 5, 1954

